Whether a first-time buyer, looking to move up the ladder or downsizing, buying a house can seem an overwhelming task. Breaking it down into smaller steps can make it more manageable and help to feel you are really making progress towards your end goal.

As a first-time buyer, it is most important to consider how you will finance your purchase. You should first look at how much capital you can initially raise for a deposit. How much do you have in savings? How much can you save each month? Do you have any large monthly outgoings such as car finance or loans?

These are all things to consider before approaching a mortgage advisor or provider and will give you a good estimate of what you can afford. A good target to aim for is 10% of the property value although some providers will allow 5% deposits. The higher your deposit the lower your repayments will be, so save as much as possible to give you the best chance of getting the property you desire.